Safety plan
Step 3:
Safety In My Own Residence
Click here for a printable version.
There are many things that a victim can do to increase safety in their own residence. It may be impossible to do everything at once, but safety measures can be added step by step.
Safety measures I use can include:
A. Changing the locks on my doors and windows as soon as possible.
B. Replacing wooden doors with steel/metal doors.
C. Installing security systems such as additional locks, window bars, poles to wedge against doors, an electronic system with “panic button”.
D. Purchasing rope ladders to be used for escape from second-floor windows.
E. Installing smoke detectors and purchasing fire extinguishers for each floor in my house or apartment.
F. Installing an outside lighting system that lights up when a person is coming close to my home.
G. Teaching my children how to use the telephone (including area code) to make a collect call to me and to my trusted friend/neighbor or relative in the event my partner abducts the children.
H. Teaching my children a code word that grants them permission to leave with a person other than myself only when the person uses that code word in direct communication with my children.
I. Remembering to give my code word to the person(s) instructed to collect my children in an emergency or any other unusual situation AND changing the code word with my children once it has been used.
J. Telling those who take care of my children which people have permission to pick up my children and that my partner is not permitted to do so. The people I will inform about pick-up permission include
School _________________________________________
Daycare ________________________________________
Babysitter_______________________________________ Others ________________________________________
K. Informing (neighbor/friend) _____________________ that my partner no longer resides with me and they should call the police if they observe my partner at or near my residence.
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